Apparatus for producing a motor fluid.



H. MXIM, APPARATUS FOR PRODUGING A MOTOR FLUID.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, 1904. RENEWED DEO.12, 1904.

Patented May 3, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

RNmVL @N TNQ@ I H5. MAXIM. AP'PARATUS FOR PRODUGINGA' MOTORTLUID. y Hmmm-ION- TILBD MAY 12, 1964,. RENEWBD man, i904.' 956,813.4

- Patented May 3 y .II. MAXIM. l APPARATUS BOB. PRODIIG'ING MOTOR FLUID. APPLICATION* FILED' MAY I2, 1904. RTNBWBII DB0. '12,` 1904.

.Patented May 3, 1910 a sII'EnTs-SIIBET a.

. spoed.

"UNITED STATES PATENT @Fl-'dt' HUDSON MAXIM, 0F nnof'olrinz'lv, New' Yana.,

APPAnATUsgFon rnonnorim a Moron, Frama original @bancariasana-fixieren 2e, was, serial No. 710.192.

" 1994, Serial Np.'20'}f,710. Renewed December 12, 1904. Serial No 23655.94#

Specilcation of 'Letters lfratent,

Patented May 3, 1316. Divided and this appIoation tiled may 12,'

To all whom 'it muy concern;

Be it, known that I', HUDSON MA311-n, of Brooklyn, New York, have invented'a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus 'for Producing a Motor Fluid, which invention is full;y set. forth in the following specification.

This application is a division of my applioation Sr. No. 710,192, filed March 23, 1899, and the nvenl'i-on'lierein described relates to an limproved apparatus for produo' ing motive tiuid, for use 4mainly for the more rapid propulsion than heretofore of selfpropelled torpedoes, torpedo boats, and light navalund other launches, but is adapt ed to other purposes. Y

The invention has for its object mainly to provide means by which the products of y combustion of a nitro-compound capable ofv supporting its own coinbustitui4 (hereinafter referred to as a selfecoinbustible body) may beeonne-d, controlled, and utilized for produoing motive power, as for actuating a motor or otherwise, as jetv propulsion, and by which the heat of the products of. conihustion is utilized to evaporate a liquid or to heat a gasfor Vapor for use'independently or in connection with the said products of' combustion for actuating a niotor, or as a pro veiling means.

he invention alsoA has for its objectto provide means for the'generation and supply of a largel;T increased volume of nlotor iuid, and at a much higher pressure, and

Vwithout increasing vthe weight or Size' of present automobiletorpedoes, when the into the .endthat the motor or propelling` nieans thereof inav` be driven for a unich longer period of time and the torpedo driven to a greater distance and aty a niueh increased The invention also provides that the shell of thetorpedo. lund especially what has been 4heretofore employed as the Compressed air flask, may be greatl)Y lightened, and the torpedo may therefore carri' a niuch in creased cha-rg0 of'high explosives.

The invention further has for its object vmeans for atoinizinpl or spraying'the ivater .or other tluid to be evaporated into the path of the products of' Acombustion of the nitrotonipound. to be mixed therewith, and means '-iihereb-v t'hr` products of combustion and the watrrv spray are passed together'over heatingsr surfaces, and through an atomizing and lconsist in means for burning one or mixing device, whereby,7 the heat,- oi lthe prod uct's of combustion is imparted to the surfaces to be agam'giren oi. and :again im 4parted to the particles of Water to more perfectly evaporate the same, and to :further taclhtate the eva-poration of the-Water. par

ltieles bythe interposition oi the said surfaces 1n the. path. oi the water particles, inV

tit?

The inostsalient features of the invention vmore rods-or candies of a eolloidal n itroroin pound, capable of supporting its ouin oon1 bust-ion, nieans for -frgnitl'ng the said candle or candles, together With means for protects' ing from ignition all of the surfaces except one, of the eandlefin order that it may be. gradually consumedro-ni one end or surface.. only. The invention also provides means for incasing the said candle. in a suitable |tube, and also ineans for coolingv the tube exteriorly, whereby the p'roduets of combustion passing through the-:tube shall not. overheat'y the saine,`and WherebjVY the exterior surface of the Gand-le'Sh-all'be caused to burn 'with somewhat les-s rapidity than the material nearer the center,- so' that the' combustion shall proceed to oonsuniethe' candle from a coneaved or CuPsha-pedsurface, and'jthe material around the' periphery of the. cup caused, by means of-pressure generated by the combustion, to servefas a U- paclring to assistiirpreven'ti-ng the passage of thegases to the exterior of the candle, and between 1t and the containing tuhe.

Meansrare also provided for cooling the atoniizing device t0 prevent. the saine fronrbel ingV overheuted or fused bv the coi-nhustion of the colloidal candle;

The invention further provides means-[for regulating and controllingA the supply' ot' Water' or other liquids to the atomzer or spraying device', and means for transmitting the pressure ofthe products of combustion' and volatllized liquid to the water olf-other l' A liquid to be 1n]ected, Vaporlzed, or sprayed,"

and means for augmenting the said pressure per t ea unit upon the. said liquid, whereby the liquld shall b e under a greater pressure per area u nit than the pressureo'fthe prod- 'nets of Combustion and volatihzed' vllqutd,l

prod nots of" 4and be, b that excess of pressure, forced i through tie atoniizer into the products of combustion. -Meansgare also provided for circulating' a .current Vof, cooling liquid v around-the exterior ofthe colloidal candle,

during its combustion. l

' The 'inventionalso providesnieans for iinl 'mersing the candles'or bars of self-combustible Vmaterial in' a suitable liquid, as water,

l dependently and severally, or' altogether, ac-

, quired.

cordi'ng to the demands of the case. The said candles, 4when a plurality are employed, may be provided each with' an independent `Qatomizing device, or with one, and they all 'may be in `communication with the same evaporation chamber or not, as' may be 're- AIn carrying out the invention, when applied to torpedoes, a rod or candle of the colloidal nitro-compound aforesaid, is inserted into a tube provided, for its reception z within the torpedo, and which tube may be concentrically situated with relation to the torpedo and adapted to receive the candle tlirou Ah the-forward end or nose of the torpedo, y removing the fuse and inserting the same through the fuse tube or chamber, or

the candle tube may be situated, arranged and shaped in such wise that the candle may be inserted through the' lateral walls of the torpedo. When the candle is to be inserted in the tube, both the tube and the candlev are previously coated with a suit-able cement or adhesive substance for fil-ling the spacer. between the outer surface of the candle and the walls of the containing tube, inl order to elfec'tually prevent the ignition lof the same on its outer surface. To effect this en'd, paraiiin may be employed, or a mixtureof parathn'and a suitable resin, or the exterior surface ofthe colloidal candle may be covered with paper or a cotton or other suitable fabric or substance, preferably porous, and which may be wet with water when the candle is inserted into its Acontaining tube, so that, the -space between the candle and the tube will be filled with water and the wetted lm aterial.- The water or other liquid .chainber is then filled, and when ready for action the candle yis ignited at one end, either by an electric spark, a wire heated to incandescence by an electric current, or by other suitable means. The pressure of.the products of combustion augmented per area unit plane, in such wise that the candle.

steels upon the water chamber, forces 'the water in a spray into the path of the products of combustion, and at right angles thereto, and

together, the a ueous vapor, watery spray, and products o combustion, are forccd'onward to ther motor or other propelling device through a tortuous path, whereby the complete evaporation of the water is effected.

With this general statement of the leading features ofthe invention, I have, in order to make the saine more clearly understood,

shown lin the accompanying drawings, means for carrying it into practical eect,without thereby limiting the improvements in their,

useful applications to the. particular construction taken for illustration herein'. y

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of apart of a torpedo embodying' the improvements; Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof on the line 2, 2 of Fig.. l; Fig.

3 is a plane projectionl of the improved spraying device; Fig. 4 is a diagonal cross -section of the same on the line 4, 4 'of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is-a cross-sectional view o f the powder candle-containing. tube, showing a part of the sprayin device in elevation; Fig. 6 Ais a longitudina section of the device for ignit- Y ing the powder candle `with adjacent parts of the torpedo;-Fig. Z is a cross-sectional view of thesame on the line 7, 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8. is a longitudinalsection of a` part of' a torpedo, showing-a modified form of the invention; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view on 4,the line 9, 9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is an elevation of a portion of the torpedo 'shown in Fig'. 8, showing the door or plate ofthe opening for inserting thel powder candle; Fig.- 11 is anA enlarged cross-section of the powder .tube

'and surrounding jacket tube, showing the liquid-controlling valve; Fig. 12 is a radial section of the same on the line 12 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a similar enlarged cross-section of a modified form 'of valve; Fig. 14 is a longitudinal section of a portion of the torpedo,

showing a modied form' ofthe invention.; Fig.V 15 is an enlarged similar section, illustratingiparticularly the means-for automatically .ignitiiig the powdercandle; Fig. 16 is a similar view of a different form of the modification shown in Fig. 14.

Referring to the drawings, the torpedo ics iio

casing l-can be made so light as vtoaord j only sufiicieiit support for ,the contained apparatus Aand may be strengthened atits forward end by a partition 2, forming a chamber containing the explosive charge 3, 'and the fuse 4. The powder candle 5, is contained in a central longitudinal tube 6, which i extends from the front of the torpedo tothe atomizing device to be hereinafter described, and which containsat its forward end'the fuse 4, and a ortionof the explosive charge 3, 4in front of) candle-containing fportion of the tube.

Therea'r end o the plug 15, vwhich closes` the the candle tube 6,' is in 130,

of Aconcentric circularl '-1, Which'are closed at stone or other suitable substance, Whichfmaterial is held in the inner cylinder or combus.

' gauzecovered "115e, insertedand p lat e s 120,-and 'adaptedto f tightljgsclewedf escape of gases from the combustionhamber.

tion' chamber- 8, between a'plurality. of transverseperforated nietallicpartitions l0, covered on their front sur-faces with Wire gauze or netting l1, `for more Vcompletely atom izing, disseminating and mixing the liquid spray and products ofc'oinbustion-- .The rearendof the inner cylinder 8 is pr'ovidevd- Withian opening 12a into the second' cylinder 9,' icoVe1jedWit-h a perforated and plate l2, to prevent' theatoiniz'in'g and heat-absorbing material from stopping the opening. The second cylinder 9. isf also. provided with openings 9'r1 into the outerl cylinder or torpedo casing at its forward. 'end and near the `partition '7, so that the gases and -Vapor upon escaping from the. candle tube and spraying device,'pass longitudinally through H.the inner .cylinder 8,- ref turn through-the second cylinder 9 and pass.

rearward-again through the outer casing and they end perforated. .partit-ion 13, to' and through the rear partition 13a, andby means ofth'epipel 14,. to the mot-ive machinery 'of the-torpedol i The candle 5 is ignited preferably by'ineans of a' small rod of self-combustible material. I attache-d 'into Athe end' of the dl'e and projecting out of the candle tube -towrd the cylinder, Whereitis-.n contact 1 wt into .thecoinbustion chamber from anA externally removable pluglfsee .Figs.,-l and 6.- vThe radi-al rod .1.6 is' ignited'by an electric t is purpose With v-tWo internal insulated Wires.18 .preferably-united at -theinner. end

of. the rodby a small iilanientof platinum or othersuitable nietal, adapted to beheated to incandescenc'e by' the passage of an electric current, The -radial rod is inserted into. a

removable .socket 18a, through' which the Wires 18A extend andare sealed thereinby nieans .o fa body of leadlt), held between two a similar' rod 16,- eXt-ending radially-' be com pressed so -as t'oth orou gh ly pack around the u ire-s by' ine-ans ,of, the plunger. 21 under the pressure of the screw plug-17, the plunger andplug` having a central opening-for. the passage of the-insulated-,rvi-res to the outside of the tor# pedo.' The-,socket piece 18av 'is'rprorvi'ded With an annular recess communicating with the ,niajgxi'body of lead, so'th-at When' theplugis dowm-thelead prevents any The candle tube .6 is surrounded .by a jacket tube 215 tween the tube and jacket, for 'a ,coo in@ cir- -culatingliquid. Preferably products oi' combustion, annular space referred to is inc'omlnunication with a reservoir 22, containing the liquid, and -at' its rear end said.annularspacecommunicates Withl a spraying or atomiz'in'g dc- Vice'23 for injecting the liquid into the produ 'cts of. combustion. as they -pass fromv the candle tube 6, as Willbe hereinafter described. i

The reservoir-*22 is formedby the tubei2la, anda permanent head 24, .attachedtt-liereto,

and av longitudinally. sliding outer Wall or -cylinder 25, attached to the sliding head'or piston 6, which' head orpiston is extended radially outside 'of the cylinder 25, preferably to the inside ofthe casing l.- It u'fill-beseen, therefore, that the outer surface of the piston is of greater area than that portion oi the inner surface forming a part of the liquid-holdingreselvor, and that, tshould the. pressure per lunit ofy area'- be equal on both surfaces, the piston and cylinder Will'rno-ve` forward and forcetheA liquid through the 4jacket-tube andv toV the spraying: device. Inl order to accomplish this result, the outer surface of the piston 26, .is placed 'in 'communication with the combustionchamber'or .eyap'orating chamber 50 by means --ofthe openings 27,'through'the-partition 7, so that,

. vwhentheptn-nderis ignited and as pressure is generated, the liquid is forced into the ,gases of. combustion. It Willrbe understood that the pressure onthe'forward surface of 4 the piston outside the reservoir is practically' nothing;

dle ,5 is -s' pplied'v o r replaced' through.' the: front of the torpedo .by removing thefuse 4, and plug .-15.- The part of,torp edo casing about the -Inixing chambers and. liquidr'eservoi'r-is'made of thicker materiahin'order-.to

stand the pressure of-thegases of comb-ustioni., 115- onatoniizingdeyice. i'llus-A and evaporated. liquid..

The spraying .trated in Figsg?, large numberof .dial nipples, 28a', tionto each-other, or other liquid in' eniittiilgfrom the nipples,- may enter 'every portion "Qf the ,current of the powder gases. ing .device is preferably; orr'n'ed by' tapping the A.stock orf candle tube 6* jwith--threads of' comparatively" great pitch and ofsu"ch con ltourg-inpcross-section `1 is tofforn1 threads ofto 5, inclusive', consist'sofa llsuch liquidforins a' part' of that'tobe'sprayed intothe 'and 1n' such' case' the The reservoir 'is 'provided with. aiflling tube or pipe '28, adapted to-'b'e opened `to'the outside of the torpedo, and the colloidal can'- by the intersection ofthe two threads, nipples are formed not only of different lengths, but also not-'in a longitudinal line with each other.

l'ustead of placing the candle tube and the.

lng is closed by a removable plate 29,

8 and 10. The curijed form oit the candle tube 6a does not interfere with the' placingl ofthe candlerln -the tube, since the latter is ot' `a plastic or' flexible character and readily conforms to the curve of the tube.

In order to prevent vthe liquid in the reservoir from iowing'into the candle tube and combustion chamber, when the candle 1s notlginted, a spring controlled annular valve (Figs. ll and 12) of rubberor other suitable material is placed around the candle tube tybetween thecominunication of the reservoir With the 'jackettube 21a and` the spraying .or atolnizing device 23, and is attached to the jacket tube in any suitable in'anner as by a ring and screws 3l. VThe valve is held normally seated against the candle tube 6 by a spring 32 of any suitable torni, such 'as split ring,rFig. 1l, or .a coiled spring 3Q, Fig. 13, and held yinthe socket 33a fixed to the outer 'tube 21a.- By

'this ineans the kalt-'e e'ectually prevents flow of Water to the sprayer or atonnzer,

but is readily forced open by the pressure of the liquid" in the reservoir when the candleais ignited. The candle is preferably covered or coated with a layer 33 ,of paraltin, Fig. I1;- or a mixture-ot' that material arid a suitable resin ,which lnaybe impregnated in a fabric, be-

fore Aor after placing around therod of powder. i

The modified form` of apparatus shown in Fig'. 1 4, illustrates aportionof-a torpedo `isfnearlyfilled-Will cover'fthe topfsurfaceof the candlesv 4to prevent their n premature `1g-I with the combustion chamber and ini'xing,

,device eccentrically situated, andl in .co1ninun'iclation. byjan opening or 'conduit 3l,

fithachaniber 35, containing a plurality Vof i Vrods or candles 5 of self-combustible colloid, extending in a direction substantially trans# verse to the torpedo, and each in. a performed-'metallic tubej'. 'I nthe modificationmentioned, the candlesa-re 4Vert-ical, andV the perforations of the tubeare sc .a'rranged thatl the Water with lwhich the compartment nition from the products of combustion ot' another burning candle. This means of" maintaining the outer surface of the candle cool, prevents any possible ignition, except at the top surface purposely ignited.

The rods may be ignited in any suitable manner, in series or :in parallel, that is to say, successively or simultaneously. The inethodillustrated in Fig. H5, however, shows means for igniting one candle externally by electricity, and by means ci a smal-l igniter rod 37, which in turn ignitesthe sur'faceof the first candle. IWhen the candle first ignited is nearly consumed and the zone-ot' lire approaches the bottoni of thc tube, the

pressure of the gases of combustion forces o the srnall Contact button 38, at. the side of the tube near its bottoni outward against', the spring 39, Fig; 15, into contact with au insulatetil metallic button 40, connected by a Wire all, with. the srn'all igniter candle 85 or fuse 37 at the top of the next candle. By this means an electric current is inade'to traverse through theV small igniter rod at the top of the succeeding candle, which is ignited, the circuit being colnplcted'by the Wire alla, and the shell of the torpedo, the current being generatedv by the batteries 42. Each-successive candle is ignited in a sin1i lar manner, and each ignition device isV preferably supplied with aseparate battery. In this modification. (Fig. "14) I have shown means whereby liquid'carbonic aoid,-or'water impregnated with carbonio acid or other liqueiable gas maybe injectedcr 'sprayed 'into'the path oll the products of combustion, 10c,

by means of the spraying' device. Forvthis purpose, the torpedo is provided with the chamber containins the liquid 'beforexnent-ioned, and place in colnnninication With the sprayingderice by means of a pipe 105 44, passing through the combustion chamber 35, and controlled by a valve 6,'thatis normally Vkept closed by :the great pressure wit-hinthe liquid chamber i3, but is forced open asfsoon as pressure is generated in the 110 ccanl'mstionA chamber sutliciently' great. to counterbalance the pressure ot the liquid- -holdingchamber by nieans of the large difference in area bet-Ween the inside of' the' ivalre and its. outer;y piston-like surface, l?, 11,5

1n communication With the combustion chamber.

The modilication shown inI Fig. 16'., illustrates a construction snnllar to that ofFig.

vided `with a separate -igniting devicepf',V so that they 1nay,. if desired,beignited si mirltaneouslyi What is claimed is:A

1. In an apparatusiforproducin:' amotor uid, the combination 'of acIosedco1nbus-- tion chamber containing. a self-'combustible ut the candles -arc inclinedA to thetrans i verse sectlon of the torpedo, and each aspro-a means actuated by the products of combus-4 tween thereservoirv and combustion cha1nber` and. means actuated. b v the products ol con'ibustion and forcing/fthe liquid from the reservoir through said spraying'or' atomizing device into the combustion chamber. 9.. In'an apparatus producing a motor tluid, thefcombination of a closed coi'nlnistion chamber containing a self-combustible material, a reservoir.containing a fluid, a spray-v ing 4or'.a't'omi'zing device introduced between the reservoir and combustion chamber', and

into said chamber, a reservoir connected withA said device and containing a liquid, and a ditlerentialpiston element having its greater area exposed to the products of combustion and its lesser area operating on the liquid in the reservoir,v whereby-the pressure per area unit on the liquid in the reservoir 'will er;- ceed the pressure per area .unit of the prod'' ucts of combustion. Y

ln an apparatus for producing a motor fluid, the combination of a closed combustion chamber containing a self-combustible material, a spraying or atomizing device leading into said. chamber, a rcservoirjconnected with said device'and containing liquid, andl a mo fable wall to said reservoirha-ving a greater area exposed to the products of. combustion than is exposed lo the liquid in the l'lStll'YUlI.

o. In au apparatus for producing a motor tluid, the combination of' a combustion chamber contain-ing a self-combustible material, aA cooling fluid surrounding said mate@ rial, and means-mixing said ljluld 1n the form of spray or 'va-por With the products of combustio'n of said material.

- 6. 4In an apparatus for producing a motor 'lluid, the combination of a combustion chan-1- bei' containing a self-combustible 'materiah a coolingI fluid surrounfhng said matcriah an 'atomizing o1-'sp1-ayi11g device leading into said chamber, and means forcing said lluid through said device into said chamber.

7. In an apparatus. for .producing a motor lluid,.th e combination of a clombustion chamber containing a self-combustible mater1al,

a cooling fluid .surrounding said material,

and means ,actuated by the products of com-` bustion' and forcing saidr liquid into said chamber.

8. In ali-apparatus for producing va motor fluid, the combination of a. combustion cham'- ber containing a self-combusti'blematerial, a

ltion chamber' containing `ascl able material, a tubular cooling fluid surroundin said -niaterialgan. atomizing Aor spraying eviceceding mtg,

said chamber and means products of combustion and.

fluid, the combination of a "tu materiaha tubular jacket surro @dilated-.by the .fencing seid' liquid into the combustion.'chamber.-

9. 'In an apparatus for producing@ molten bular-combusf: '.com'bus tible w llldlilg-saidi chamber and leaving an annular.space-She# tween the two, a reservoir containing alluf'id and'communicating with said .s

. .Pace-9. Slm-1li' ing or atomizmg device leading' romsald space to the combustion chambenaiid means forcing said fluid through said device'. into said chamber.

10. In aiapparatus for producing a m0- tor luid, the combination of a tublar combustion chamber containing a' self-combustifjacket surrounding said chamber and leaving an annular spacev between the two, a reservoir containing a fluid and communicating 'with said space, a

spraying or atoniizing device leading from" said space to the combustion chamber, and means actuated by the products of combustion and forcing the lluid through said def vice intosaid chamber..

ll. In an apparatus for producing a ino- .tor fluid, the combination 'ofa combustion chamber, a fluid reservoir communicatingl therewith, and means augmenting and transmitting' the pressure of the products of combustion. to the ui'd in the reservoir.

l2. In an apparatus for producing a niotor liuid, the combination of a combustion chamber, a lluid reservoir A connnunicating therewith, and a differential piston device having its greater area exposed to the products'o combustion and its lesser area acting on the l'luid in the reservoir.

13. In an apparatus for producing a motor Huid, the combination of a combustion chamber containing' a self-combustible material, aluid reservoir communicating therewith, means spraying the. fluid into the products of combustion and a mixing device in the pathof the products of combustion.

14.- In anapparatus for producing a motor fluid, the -combination of acombustion chamber containing a self-combustible material, a heat-absorbing body mterposed 1n lthe path of the products of combustion, and

means actuated by the products of combus-v .tion and spraying a liquid into said prodnets, before they reach said bodv.

15. In an apparatus for producing a mo f tor luid, the combination of a combustion chamber coi'itaining a self-combustible materia] with only one'surface exposed to the llame of ignition, and means for circulating a cooling medium around said material.

16. In an apparatus for producin a motor Huid, the combination of .a com ustion chamber containing a self-combustible maame f ignition-,- a',"res ervoi.r vcntaini-ng si oolilig me jum, and a conduit leading from idf reservoir around andintnisaid combus-` onehalber.'

118'- :Ia'n apparatus fr generating "motor het containing 4a 'ue'lfcapable of suppytin'g its ownl oilibilstvlqnygi .reservoir contamin V1f waterye'ndfineans. mlx'mg the products o Iiitestjmo'ny whereof 'I have siglied this peiic'ation in thepnesenceof two subsrib- 20 -iligwitpe'sses' i l L `HUDSONlsuiXIM.

Witnesses: WILLIAM E.4 HILLS, R.L. SCOTT; 

